Stage 1 of the WLRT project will see light rail trains running on 19 kilometres of track from Conestoga Mall in Waterloo to Fairview Park Mall in Kitchener by 2017. Birnie Electric is working with Aecon, a member of GrandLinq, the consortium awarded the overall contract. We’re proud to be part of the team!

Birnie Electric was back in Haiti this year, following up on a training centre project completed last year. Journeyman electrician Doug Ball was accompanied by pre-apprentice Adam Johnstone, whose father Mike was part of last year’s mission.

The overall mission was headed up by Empower Global, a Canadian-based local charity with boots on the ground in Cap Haitien, a city of about 500,000 people on the north coast of Haiti.

In addition to updating electrical facilities at the training centre which was built during last year’s mission, the Birnie Electric team provided instruction and mentoring to local tradesman. Local field assessments have determined that Haitian welding practices are as much as 50 years behind.

Here are some photos from their time in Haiti. Thanks to Doug and Adam for their hard work in Haiti, and thanks to friends who helped support our mission.

Adam Johnstone takes some time out to lead games with local children.

Doug Ball works on electrical components.

A solar panel installation captures the one resource that Haiti has plenty of.

Birnie Electric Ltd. is up and running in Waterloo where it was awarded a $6.5-million contract for electrical work on Stage 1 of the Region of Waterloo’s new light-rail transit (LRT) system. The LRT, known as ION, will ultimately connect the three major urban centres of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo.

The Birnie Electric construction trailer is on site at the Waterloo LRT project.

Project Manager Keith Bayes said there is currently a superintendent on site with local electricians doing preliminary work including underground conduits and a duct bank.

“We do anticipate the hiring of 15 to 20 local IBEW electricians as work on this project moves forward,” added Keith. The first stage of the project involves design-assist electrical services with AECOM along with installations for a new maintenance and repair facility and 19 LRT stations.

The framework of an LRT building starts to take shape.

Work began in earnest in March with completion slated for the end of 2016. Stage 1 of the project will see light rail trains running on 19 kilometres of track from Conestoga Mall in Waterloo to Fairview Park Mall in Kitchener by 2017. Birnie Electric is working with Aecon, a member of GrandLinq, the consortium awarded the overall contract.

WATERLOO (Dec. 30, 2014) – Birnie Electric has announced the appointment of Keith Bayes as Project Manager for electrical design-build work on Stage 1 of the Region of Waterloo’s new light-rail transit (LRT) system.

The LRT, known as ION, will ultimately connect the three major urban centres of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo. The $6.5 million contract, providing design-assist electrical services with AECOM along with installations for a new maintenance and repair facility and 19 LRT stations, was awarded in October 2014. Read more →

Electrical Safety Authority

About Birnie

Started in 1967, Birnie Electric has built a reputation for quality and reliable service as a premier electrical contractor.
With a seasoned team of skilled design engineers, CAD designers, supervisors, foremen, service technicians and electricians, we provide the dedication, technical knowledge and competence to get the job done right.
Birnie Electric is bondable to any level required.